However, the 23-year-old is looking for improvement when Ireland skipper O’Driscoll and his team-mates visit Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Scotland A international said: “Playing against Brian O’Driscoll is a great challenge, but it is not just him we have to deal with – there is also Gordon D’Arcy just inside him and Shane Horgan outside him.

“Leinster have also got Felipe Contempomi, who pulls the strings at 10.

“They have got a very talented backline, so it is a challenge for our whole backline to try to subdue them.

“Unfortunately they managed to get three tries at the weekend, so the backs’ goal this weekend is to achieve a clean sheet.”

The former Border Reivers back is relishing his role this season and has benefited from clear guidance from head coach Andy Robinson and assistant Rob Moffat.

De Luca said: “For the first couple of weeks it was tough getting back in the groove.

“I have been up against Regan King, Andrew Trimble and now Brian O’Driscoll - there is no better way to get back into the groove than by playing against some of the best players in Europe.

“I am starting to enjoy it a lot more now by playing my part in defence and hopefully I’ll be ale to sharpen up my attack and make more chances for my team-mates to finish off.

“I like being a creator. I have scored more tries than most in the Edinburgh team this year, but usually I like to make the breaks and put other boys away. So I’m glad I’m doing both roles.

“A lot of things have come on this season. The coaching has been world class and also we are testing ourselves against world-class players.

“You are told exactly what to do by the coaches - Andy and Rob don’t miss a trick, so you are told to sort out little parts of your game which pays dividends.”